A "low ball" offer...

[Andy Griffith]

I am just pontificating...

What some people consider a "low ball" offer is just a starting place for another.

For instance, some people think offering anything less than 10% less than the asking price of a home is "low balling."

Phooey I say. Offer what you will to anyone. Cash talks, waste walks.

Opinions?

 

[finesse_r]

So-called low ball offers are no different from high ball asking prices. I don't see why people take such negotiations so personally and get themselves upset about such things. If you consider the offer way low just say no. If the asking price is way high don't even bother.

 

[Taurus627]

In my opinion, a "low ball" offer is an offer less than 1/2 the asking price. It's everyone's right to offer what they want but it's also my right to not accept that offer. I just prefer people be respectful. If I decide to sell something and put a price on it, that is what that item is worth to me. It's fine to make an offer but please don't insult me.

If I decide my 686 is worth $600 to me and I will sell it for that, don't insult me by offering $100, I will just tell you where to put it!!

 

[carpriver]

If I am selling I have a bottom line amount I am willing to accept. and I have a starting price. If I am offered a low ball price I will tell the person I was wanting more. then try to get closer to my starting price. Some time it the dickering(sp) that is part of the sale.

 

[doublesharp]

One cash offer is better than a thousand looky loos.

I don't get offended by a sincere offer and I don't much care if I offend someone with my offer.

 

[litenlarry]

If a person is selling anything, not just guns, and has a price advertised of say $500 OBO..Then they say No Low balling..
Give them a price that works for you..
If the seller says $500, no low ballers...Sounds to me that the price is negotiable, within reason....
If the seller says $500, price is firm...Expect to pay the full price..

If you ever venture to Mexico and do not haggle on prices ? Yep you took it up the kazoo...

 

[Alpo]

There's "haggling", and then there's "nonsense".

I had a pair of pistols, over on the cowboy wire. 350 each, or 675 for the pair. One guy offered 250 for the pair.

I never got back to him. That's not an offer. That's - well, I can't say what it is on here.

And, truthfully, I don't care how they do it in Mexico or Morocco or Rome. This ain't Mexico or Morocco or Rome. You wish to "haggle" for the joy of "haggling"? Go somewhere else.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

What people do not seem to understand is that what a seller offers is what the item is worth to the seller. What the item is worth to the seller is, to the buyer at least, an academic issue at best. I know what I will pay for something and it matters not to me if the seller thinks it's worth that or much higher. If he wants my cash, he will take what I offer or wait until somebody comes along and offers him enough cash that he will take it.
When a seller's opinion of what something is worth is equal to the buyers opinion of what something is worth AND the buyer wants to buy and the seller wants to sell-a sale takes place. I am not offended by counter offers-I can respond by either saying no, yes or something in between. When I bought my building, I did my homework and figured out how much it had been depreciated by the seller, etc coupled with the time on the market. I made am offer of 55% asking price which was all but thrown back at me by the agent and then accepted the next day by the seller.
The market place is no place for sissies.

 

[litenlarry]

There's "haggling", and then there's "nonsense".

I had a pair of pistols, over on the cowboy wire. 350 each, or 675 for the pair. One guy offered 250 for the pair.

I never got back to him. That's not an offer. That's - well, I can't say what it is on here.

And, truthfully, I don't care how they do it in Mexico or Morocco or Rome. This ain't Mexico or Morocco or Rome. You wish to "haggle" for the joy of "haggling"? Go somewhere else.

It's all about how you phrase your ad..Put a price on your items and say firm...jeeze, there is now wiggle room there...
Don't leave it up to someone else to know what you will sell the items for...
Take them to a pawn shop if you want to be low balled..

 

[labworm]

When negotiating you have to test the water.

He may say $800.00 when he really will take $600.00, so I think it may work both ways.

I sold about 100 collectible radios about 6 years ago and was specific as to price, $4000 firm not negotiable, buyer looked at the goods and handed me that amount.

I'm sure, as he sold them individually, he himself made at least $2,000.

 

[k22fan]

Offer very little if you like but don't expect me to waste my time hanging around your table long enough to tell you where to stick it. Eventually you'll have people carrying guns past your table ignoring your request to see the gun or know what they want for it.

 

[pharmer]

A "low ball" offer to some folks is a price where the gun has "some money left in it." I will offer what I am willing to pay. I don't take any or lack of response personally. Folks who get infantile are not worth doing business with anyway. Joe

 

[Bullet Bob]

It depends on the amount of the lowball offer. If we're so far apart that meeting around the middle wouldn't satisfy me, I just say "no thanks". I don't get mad, what do I care?

I don't make a counteroffer though.

 

[redlevel]

I have paid asking price for some guns. I have bought a bunch of guns for ten percent up twenty-five percent less than asking price. Two j-frames in particular come to mind. A Model 60 from the early 70s and a Model 34 of the same vintage.

I am never insulted by a low-ball offer on something I have to sell. I might not respond to the email, but I'm not insulted.

 

[arjay]

I don't take low ball offers seriously,some times I counter with a price higher than what I was asking ;-)

 

[2152hq]

A rediculous low-ball price thrown at me usually gets them a somewhat sideways look that says silently 'Don't be an Idiot' and an easily heard audible response like,,'$200 for what,,just the 'scope?'...
That usually brings the other party up to speed or they walk away.
A few laughs and grins from those in ear shot.

It's some peoples nature to pitch worm killer low balls at the seller (especially those walking around with a gun for sale) in the off chance one goes for it.

Part of buying and selling in an open market place.
Every type gets to come in the door so you'll probably be seeing them all at some point. Get used to it and brush them off like the gnat they are.
Getting mad at them just ruins the day for me.

I'd guess it could be called an insult to offer me or anyone a penny on a dollar of value when they obviously know the difference.
It probably just shows their character or lack or it, more than anything.

 

[hangnoose]

LOW BALLS

NOT the kind we get when old! In the selling of guns each case is a bit different. when both parties are knowledgeable about a guns real market value, then asking price and offers should be more realistic or it could be taken as offensive. When working a table at a show the looky lous that beat you up on price, tell you the gun is junk and want you to remove the zip tie so they can "feel" the trigger and action, are a waste of my time, & I usually ask to see the money first. If you have no intention of buying keep walking. On the other hand I detest buyers that take advantage of widows & other peoples misfortunes more.

 

[tops]

A couple of years ago a gun was for sale at $800. I thought it was a $250 gun. Two weeks later it was reduced to $600. Two weeks later it was reduced to $400. and I sent an email offering $250. I received a reply that $400. was the least he would sell to me and he would give me $250. for all of them I had. Two weeks later the price was $250. but since he had stated $400. was the least he would take from me I didn't bother to respond. Pap was a trader and if he couldn't get together on a price he would say "I won't get mad at you for not paying my price if you don't get mad because I wouldn't take your offer." If he was the buyer he just reversed his saying. I never saw him get upset no matter how little he was offered or how high a price he was asked. Larry

 

[Slowhanddd]

been on both sides of the table.Went to a show two weeks ago.I had taken a couple to sell or trade.Walked by one dealer who's items are always worth more than your gun.He asked to see what I was selling.Told him he wouldn't like them for my prices.handed them to the guy setting next to him.He bought one for my asking price and the other guy couldn't believe I wouldn't let him see them.I told him as usual my stuff wasn't worth any thing to him.Did make him a trade offer on one of his guns,wasn't interested at all.Next show I'll pass his tables completely.Love the haggle back and forth most of the time.Just part of it,but sometimes it's nice to try and one up them.

 

[ringo1597]

I enjoy haggling a great deal, find it very simple. Been on both sides of the table, usually the inside. Someone asks me a price, I always respond with what I am asking, then add " make me an offer, you're not going to offend me." Usually it is a low ball offer which is what I expect. Than I counter with my price. Then it goes back and forth.
Does not matter what price is on the item, you have to start somewhere. Bottom line to me, I will never sell nor buy, unless someone starts the haggling process.